Houllier must have taken Bradley seriously when he said he compared himself to Roy Keane, almost every time they go forward he's the last midfielder back.
He's the deepest midfielder for Villa in this match as well. However, he makes no attempt to win a ball. None of the Villa defenders/midfielders have made an attempt to actually win a ball on a tackle, now that I think about it.
Villatalk likes to melt down when they're losing a game like this. Btw it does seem like Mike is being asked to sit deeper. He's not really making any runs like you normally see.
In all fairness to Bradley, he is not yet up to the pace of the EPL - he looks to be playing not to make mistakes and pretty much has been a Passenger in this match. It's not an "Eddie Johnson" level performance but he has been chasing the game to this point.
Bradley does a good job of intercepting a ball, then a nice idea to get a ball out wiiiiide left and forward to Delph...almost nailed it to.
Agreed. He seems to be sitting pretty deep. ...Bradley intercepts a pass. Keeps possession for Villa.
Good return ball from Bradley in tight space springs an attack. Villa cross denied, resulting shot from Petrov sails way over the bar.
That's more like it. Clever one-touch pass from Bradley springs a Villa player into attack. Ends in a dangerous shot from distance.
I would've guessed as much, their league position and discontent with the current establishment probably has a lot to do with that. Their running commentary is somewhat comical, if a player misplaces a pass (the thought of a player doing that...madness!) they don't simply say "poor ball", but rather "deport/murder/castrate them!!" Bradley was "looking good" at the end of the first, one poor pass later and they want him to "leave the country".
How freakin good is Silva? Taken on both Bradley and Bannan, and wins a foul in a dangerous area, after almost getting away from them.
What the hell is Bannon thinking? He's got Bradley helping as the 2nd defender and he fouls? Not smart.
Oh, and he also just put this match away. Good night Villa. Someone getting up for Villa, and I'm guessing Bradley the DM is going out.
Nice headed pass from the defender right to the feet of Silva, who puts Man City up 3-0. Bradley did not exactly stick with Silva as he drifted into the box.